Rent Test
Purpose[edit | edit source]
To test for the presence of rotator cuff tears
Technique[1][2][3][edit | edit source]
Patient is seated with examiner standing behind patient. Have patient relax - palpate anterior margin of the acromion through the deltoid - while doing this grasp the patients arm with other hand at the elbow/forearm (patients elbow should be flexed to ~ 90 degrees) and bring into extension. Passively internally and externally rotate patients arm to palpate rotator cuff tendons. Presence of palpable or prominent eminence (Greater tuberosity) and/or rent (defect or 'sulcus') is indicative of full thickness tear. 1,2,3
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Wolf and Agrawal1 report Sensitivity and Specificity of 95.7% (.963) and 96.8% (.973) respectively with a positive predictive value of 95.7%, negative predictive value of 96.8% and a diagnostic accuracy of 96.3%. Cleland3 calculates a +LR of 32.0 and -LR of .04. Lyons and Tomlinson2 reported Sn of 91% (.91) and Sp of 75% (.75).
Resources (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
1Wolf EM & Agrawal V. Transdeltoid palpaiton (the rent test) in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tesrs. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Sept/Oct 2001;10(5):470-473
2Lyons AR & Tomlinson JE. Clincial Diagnosis of Tears of the Rotator Cuff. J Bone Joint Surg. May 1991;(74):404-405
3Cleland J. Orthopaedic Clinical Examination: An Evidence Based Approach for Physical Therapists. Philadelphia; Saunders, Elsevier: 2007
- ↑ Wolf EM & Agrawal V. Transdeltoid palpation (the rent test) in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. Sept/Oct 2001;10(5):470-473
- ↑ Lyons AR & Tomlinson JE. Clinical Diagnosis of Tears of the Rotator Cuff. J Bone Joint Surg. May 1992;74:404-405
- ↑ Cleland J. Orthopaedic Clinical Examination: An Evidence Based Approach for Physical Therapists. Philadelphia; Saunders, Elsevier. 2007
